It’s getting harder to get excited about how good a new video game looks. A couple of generations of graphics cards ago the bar was raised much higher. GPU’s have become as powerful, and in some cases more powerful than the CPUs sitting next to them. Couple that with the Xbox 360 and PS3 insisting on HD graphics, and developers really getting to grips with those systems now, and all games start looking great.

This first gameplay trailer for Battlefield 3 does seem to raise the bar again, though. The game looks stunning from this short two-minute gameplay clip, and that’s due to the new version of the Frostbite engine Digital Illusions has developed.

No doubt the trailer was created on the best rig Digital Illusions could find, and that’s important as Frostbite 2.0 takes full advantage of DirectX 11 and 64-bit processors. While I’m sure the game will run on low spec machines, Battlefield 3 will benefit from having a Core-i7 and the latest Radeon or GeForce card, more so than other games do at the moment I would hazard a guess. The only downside is this game won’t run on Windows XP due to a lack of DirectX 9 support. Those gamers still running Microsoft’s aging operating system will have to upgrade, but I’d see that as an excuse to do so rather than complaining about it.

There have been hints as to how good Battlefield 3 would look when the initial teaser trailer was released, as well as from engine tests such as this real-time radiosity architecture video that got released early last month :

The evidence suggests that Digital Illusions really is going to deliver with this game, and Call of Duty fans will at least be tempted to take a break from their beloved series and give this a try. Who knows, they might not want to go back.

So it’s looking as though the question for gamers wanting to play Battlefield 3 has changed from the usual “will my rig run it?” to “what can I afford to add before release to make it run better?”. At least, that’s the question I’m asking right now.

Battlefield 3 has no confirmed release date, but it is listed as arriving Fall 2011.

Reader Comments

Wow… just, wow. So excited about this game now. Can’t wait for more information on it!

Blackie White

Windoows XP lacks DirectX 9 support? lol I must have a special edition then. I think you meant DirectX “10” or better.

Frankly,IMO, all these tactical games could use a rest. Sure they looks great and all, but If you want a REALLY “realistic” battlefield simulation, instead of sitting around eating twinkies and playing video games, why not enlist?

Video games, IMO, are meant to be an escape from reality, not a simulation of it. Many of these games today, though amazingly realistic and an incredible demonstration of the capabilities of modern technology, are devoid of any style or creativity whatsoever. Much like a lot of modern music merely samples the works of actual talented musicians and “artists” and then twists them into some bastardized monstrosity to be enjoyed by people who wouldn’t know real art or talent if it punched them in the mouth.

I’m sick of mirrored reality, cloned and borrowed creativity and artificially emotional, dramatic reflection. I mean how many more of these things do we need? MORE CREATIVITY NOW!

Matthew Humphries

Actually I stated it’s the game that doesn’t support DirectX 9 not Windows XP. You need a DX11 compatible card, but I suspect DX10 cards will work too.

http://www.airbornegamer.com adam

Crosfire HD 5770 inbound : )

woody188

Yes, it looks nice, but is it fun? Are the controls fluid? How many players does it support? Co-op? Is it all this scripted or will there be free roaming areas? Are there specific jobs/player types like in the traditional Battlefield games?

This article is mostly devoid of any real details about the game.

It would be fun if they started realistic, then ended up in another world, or in space, or under the sea, or maybe fighting an alien invasion, something more than just shooting the modern scapegoat de jour.

Campdude

@ Woddy188

They dont know how the controls are… The game demo has not even been released.

As a COD fan and a PC gamer, i would say i agree with his point that its highly likely that because they are catering to PC, I could definately switch to Battlefield series.